Muggings and car thefts alert

The UCT community should take note that car thieves seem to be back in operation on Campus and extra vigilance is called for when parking or leaving valuables in vehicles. Having declining since February, mugging incidents on the fringes of Campus have increased this month, including bag snatching. Eleven arrests have been made for trespassing in the past six weeks.

Two recent incidents involving UCT students also highlight the prevalence of opportunistic crime on the fringes of Campus. The occupants of a car parked outside the Baxter residence recently robbed three students of their cell phones one evening. After being alerted by the students, Campus Protection Services searched the area, but were unable to locate the car. In another incident outside College House along Main Road in Rosebank, the occupants of a car robbed two students of their cell phones. However, they were able to note the car registration number and three arrests were made. The suspects have already appeared in the Wynberg magistrate's court.

Although these crimes are not happening in any specific area, members of the UCT community are urged to be aware of their surrounding environment at all times.

Campus Protection Services are regularly in contact with the SAP in Rondebosch and a number of joint operations is planned. CPS also has an information hotline at Burnage. People who have information on crimes but are afraid to come forward are urged to report crime anonymously on ext 650-4429. "We will follow up any information we get," said John Tunstall, Risks Services Manager (Properties and Services).

Safety tips:

• There is greater safety in numbers.
• Don't walk alone, day or night, if you can help it.
• If you are disturbed by someone in a car, try to get the registration number.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Don't display your wealth, particularly cell phones.
• Don't park in lonely places.
• Lock your car and don't leave valuables in sight.
• If you are robbed, give up your valuables without hesitation.Your life is more important.

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